Biography

Joseph Gorton is the Chief of Police for the San Ramon Police Department located in the San Francisco, East Bay. He has over twenty-six years of law enforcement experience in all aspects of municipal and county policing. In 2007, the original and retired chief of the San Ramon Police Department, Scott Holder, tasked then Captain Gorton with leading the transition team to create the newly formed San Ramon Police Department. Chief Gorton was instrumental in the formation of the department and was charged with the hiring process of fifty-six sworn police officers and several civilian staff members. This endeavor entailed comprehensive background checks, training, and orientation of new employees. Chief Gorton was also responsible for creating all operational policies and the organizational structure for the department, acquiring all necessary law enforcement equipment, acquiring California Peace Officers Standards and Training certification, and the integration of law enforcement databases with county, state, and federal agencies. Additionally, in 2010 Chief Gorton was assigned as the assistant project manager for the acquisition, remodel, and transition into a new cutting-edge 36,000 square foot police facility.

Chief Gorton has a broad scope of law enforcement experience both as a municipal officer and county deputy sheriff. As a lieutenant with Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, Chief Gorton was the commanding officer for the Marsh Creek Detention Facility and was a County Board of Parole Commissioner. As a sergeant, Chief Gorton supervised both general crimes and Person Crimes investigators, which focused on property crimes and violent crimes including domestic violence. In addition to being a member of the Homicide callout team, Chief Gorton served as the team leader for the Special Weapons and Tactics Team, hostage negotiators. Early in his career, Chief Gorton served in various assignments to include county and municipal patrol, investigations, undercover narcotics, hostage negotiations team, specialized enforcement team, DARE and Youth Services officer, helicopter observer, and training officer.

Chief Gorton holds a master’s degree in Organizational Development from the University of San Francisco (USF) where he graduated in the top ten percent of his class. He also holds an undergraduate degree, receiving college honors, in Public Administration from USF as well as an associate degree in Administration of Justice. Chief Gorton is an associate faculty member at a nearby university and teaches a variety of subjects in the Criminal Justice field. Chief Gorton is also a graduate of California’s Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST), Command College and graduated as the top student in his police academy class. Chief Gorton is a member of various associations including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, California Association of Chiefs of Police, California Peace Officers Association, Police Futurist International and other community-based organizations.

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2401 Crow Canyon Rd, San Ramon, CA 94583 | Map | Phone (925) 973-2700 | After Hours Non-emergency Dispatch (925) 973-2779